Was there really nothing here but palmettos and rattlesnakes? It is hard to believe now. Today we’re exploring Town ‘n’ Country, Florida. This census-designated place in Hillsborough County boasts a rich history. The population here was 85951 at the 2020 census.
Before the 1950s, Town ‘n’ Country was mostly natural areas and cattle farms. A transformation began in 1958. The LaMonte-Shimberg Corporation purchased a 525-acre dairy farm. It was from the Webb family near Hillsborough Avenue-Memorial intersection. They built the Town ‘n’ Country Park subdivision. This made it one of Tampa’s first suburban communities.
By the time LaMonte-Shimberg finished, the area covered over 2000 acres. It stretched three miles from Memorial Highway to north of Waters Avenue. Nearly 8000 single-family homes and townhouses were built. This happened from 1958 to 1978.
Early residents remember Hillsborough Avenue as a two-lane dirt road. Homes in Town ‘n’ Country Park sold for as little as $9200. Peacocks roamed Kelly Road.
One of the first residents, Tony DeBerardinis, recalled. There was nothing out here but palmettos and rattlesnakes. He and his wife bought their house in 1959. Town ‘n’ Country Boulevard was just starting to become a road. It was only a block long. The rest was a dirt road.
Many early residents had a MacDill Air Force Base connection. The base had limited housing. Town ‘n’ Country offered affordable homes with sidewalks and utilities. Mel Homas, a MacDill dietitian, claimed to have bought the first house. His wife didn’t believe there would be a swimming pool. It turned out to be true.
In the mid-1960s, LaMonte-Shimberg built a swim club. It had an Olympic-size pool and sauna. It eventually closed as more people built their own pools. A Buddhist temple stands there now.
Commercial development soon followed. In 1961, a small strip shopping center appeared. That same year, Town ‘n’ Country spread north of Hillsborough. Model homes appeared on Cresthill Drive.
Areas north of Hillsborough got names like Morgan Woods and Woodbridge. Twelve Oaks was the last subdivision to be built. Even the developers were surprised by Town ‘n’ Country’s reach. They had envisioned a smaller community.
Incarnation Catholic Church also had a MacDill connection. The congregation started in a mobile home bought from MacDill.
Developers donated land for schools. Town ‘n’ Country Elementary was the first. Webb Middle School and others followed.
For years, the Ranch House was the only restaurant in town. The Village Inn came next. These were the only choices beyond fast food. Both have stood the test of time.
Today, Town ‘n’ Country is a multicultural community. Hispanics make up a large portion of the population. It’s considered a melting pot. Residents value the green space. The greenway along Channel G is a popular recreation area.
With a median household income of $63947 in 2022, Town ‘n’ Country continues to evolve. The area has come a long way from its humble beginnings.
As we conclude our tour, consider the changes. From cattle farms to a bustling suburb, Town ‘n’ Country has transformed. It remains an integral part of Tampa’s suburban landscape.